The above photo of a Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly was captured by Betsy Allen as it visited the White Salvia in her flower garden. Zebra Swallowtails are common throughout the mid-eastern United States but this sighting was a first-time happening at the Ranch (Breeze Office).

The Zebra (for reason known only to it) prefers to lay its eggs on paw paw leaves. There are plenty of paw paws at the Ranch. It would seem that Zebra Swallowtails should be frequent and reoccurring visitors.

Appropriately, Betsy made the sighting during National Pollinator Week (June 19-25). National Pollinator Week came into existence because the U.S. Senate designated one week in June as “National Pollinator Week” in 2008. The action was seen as a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. Pollinator Week is now an international celebration, promoting the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, moths, wasps, and flies. The next National Pollinator Week is June 24-30, 2024.

The Breeze welcomes reports and photos of unusual bird, bee and butterfly visits.